Joe Manchin Leaves Democratic Party, Registers as Independent
May 31, 2024 at 7:54 AM PDT
Senator Joe Manchin III (D-WV) has left the Democratic Party and registered as an independent, according to a report by longtime West Virginia radio host Hoppy Kercheval. Manchin, who has said he will retire at the end of his term on Friday, has been a conservative Democrat throughout his career and has often caucused with Republicans on key votes.
Manchin's move was first reported by Kercheval on Twitter. Kercheval, who has known Manchin for many years, said that Manchin told him that he was leaving the Democratic Party because he felt that it was no longer the party of his values.
Manchin's departure from the Democratic Party is a significant blow to the party, as he was one of the few conservative Democrats remaining in the Senate. It is also a sign of the increasing polarization of American politics, as more and more elected officials are identifying as independents or third-party candidates.
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